Minerals and the Microscope: An Introduction to the Study of Petrology (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Henry G. Smith

9780331810455: Minerals and the Microscope: An Introduction to the Study of Petrology (Classic Reprint)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 033181045X ISBN 13: 9780331810455

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

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Explore the tiny world beneath the microscope with clear, expert guidance.

This introductory petrology text reveals how minerals reveal themselves under transmitted and reflected light, helping readers identify rock-forming minerals and interpret thin sections with confidence. Rich in practical demonstrations, it blends theory with hands-on techniques through illustrated descriptions and step-by-step methods.

This edition explains how light interacts with minerals, how crystal symmetry affects color, form, and optical properties, and how to distinguish sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks using microscopic evidence. From interference figures to the signs of uniaxial and biaxial minerals, readers gain practical insight into petrographic analysis and rock classification. The book also surveys common rock-forming minerals, their appearances, and the processes that shape metamorphic textures, all illustrated to support learning and lab work.

Learn how to use a petrographic microscope, including the polarizer, analyser, Bertrand lens, and converging light to obtain clear interference figures.
Identify minerals by color, form, cleavage, and refractive properties in ordinary transmitted light and under polarized light.
Differentiate igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks through microscopic features and mineral associations.
Understand practical tests for sign determination, extinction, pleochroism, and zoning to aid accurate identification.

Ideal for students, instructors, and rock enthusiasts seeking a solid, lab‑friendly foundation in mineralogy and petrology through accessible explanations and close-up observations.

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